Manchester City will reportedly look to increase the asking price of rumoured Celtic target Ko Itakura, with the Premier League giants looking to sell the defender at a higher fee due to a lack of interest from England.
According to Bild, the reigning English champions have received no offers from Premier League sides for Itakura, who last enjoyed a brilliant campaign with Schalke 04 as the Japanese international guided the German giants to promotion back up top the Bundesliga, and interest is now high in the defender.
Celtic have been reported suitors for Itakura for some time, however, the City defender has since been strong linked with a move to Germany, with Borussia Monchengladbach almost signing the centre-back earlier in the window, yet according to this latest update, the Manchester side are looking to sell Itakura for a higher fee.
Indeed, the lack of Premier League interest has seen City change tact over how they should sell Itakura, with the defender previously valued at £5m, meaning that an increased transfer valuation could see Celtic completely miss out on the talented centre-back this summer.
As per the report, whilst there remains no strong interest from English sides, many clubs in Germany are keeping tabs on Itakura, which could result in City landing a big fee for the Japanese defender, who looks set to leave Manchester this summer regardless of who comes in for the 25-year-old.
With Celtic signing Cameron Carter-Vickers on a permanent deal earlier in the summer, Itakura is more than likely less of a priority for Ange Postecoglou, with the Hoops boss looking to sign a central midfielder. However, this latest update is a blow for the Scottish giants.
Manchester City could struggle to sell Itakura following latest update
Many would say £5m is a solid transfer fee for Itakura, a player who shone in the German second-tier last season and is now ready for a top-flight move. Which is why it is an odd decision for City to reportedly increase the asking price for the defender.
Indeed, sides like Celtic would be perfect for Itakura this summer, but with City looking to sell the centre-back for a much higher fee, the Japanese international could now find himself stuck in Manchester and without a new permanent club.
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